Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-08-27
WHOLE NO. 1915.

ite bedrock is near the surface, looks
sterile, but experience has demonstrated
that it is rich in chemical elements which
are essential to the healthy growth of trees
and vines. The soil may be divided into
four varieties:
First-A soil composed of granite and
alluvial soil, and having the qualities
mentioned above
Second-The loamy soil of the hlllsides,
which, in its original state, is covered by
trees and chaparral. When cleared and
cultivated it yields largely. and is specially
adapted to the wants of the orchsrdists,
being easily titled and free from stones.
Third-Same as the foregoing, with
mixture of bowlders and loose rock, but
when properly worked becomes valuable
land, and orchards planted in this soil at
| tain healthy and vigorous growth.
FOurth-Good soil for the vineyardist,
having slaty formation and bedrock.
Even the barren bedrock OF the worked
out gravel mines can be made to sustain
| plant and tree growths and yield hand
| some returns.
AGRICULTURE
About 5000 acres are adapted TO aeri-
culture and horticulture. For the general
farmer the foothill region or "belt "
possesses many attractions. The diversity
Of the soil is an advantage which should
not be overlooked as it enables the farmer
| to adapt it to the growing of different
crops, the principal crop, however, being
hay, for which there is ready market at
! from SIS to S25 per ton, according to the
kind and quality. Oat rye and wheat hay
yield from two 10 four tons per acre, with
out any irrigation being required A
great deal of red clover, timothy, and
alfalfa hay is grown on irrigated lands,
and are the most marketable hays pro-
duced
THREE CROPS ARE CUT ANNUALLY,
| And the yield is enormous, going as high
as seven and eight tons to the acre. In
some localities, where the water supply is
ample and the soil rich, the yield has often
been greater, and, as before stated; the soil
IS rich and the water supply is ample.
STOCK RAISING.
The grazing lands of Nevada county
comprise 100000 acres. Among the foot
hills there is an abundance of water, large
tracts for pasturage, an abundance of
grass, mild winters, and the stock-raiser
finds that little protection for his cattle,
sheep and horses are required; a shed gem
orally being all that is needed except in
exceptional seasons. In summer large
herds are driven into the higher noun
tains, near Cisco and Emigrant Gap, and
thrive there till autumn. Choice breeds
of cattle have been introduced in many
localities and this tendency is increasing
The Seventeenth District Agricultural
Fair, which is held in September of each
year at Glenbrook, between Nevada City
and Grass Valley has done much to aid in
this direction. Potatoes corn squashes,
pumpkins, and small fruits yield well, and
the horticulturist cannot do better than
settle in this region
MARKET ADVANTAGES.
There is a steady and growing demand
for all fruits raised in this county; owing
to the excellence of the fruit, and its good
transporting qualities, it has become
famous throughout the South and East.
Bartlett years shipped from this county to
Chicago, New York and other distant
points have been received ina perfeetstate
of preservation, and sold at an advanced
rate. The Bartlett pears grown in this
county are unexcelled for size, favor and
shipping qualities, and many large or
chards are successfully v grown. Other pears
do as well, but the Bartlett is, without dis
pute, the king of pears in this section.
| Apples grown in the middle or snow belt
are of good flavor, and large consignments
to Eastern dealers are made yearly
| prGaes. peaches and other fruits, and all
vegetables, thrive and reach maturity with
unequaled excellence. P@-f
and most lucrative crop "
grown Is the potato, as t..
mand is always far ahead of tns
supply. The sell is, in many
places, adapted to the cultivation and
growth OF the potato, and those who have
undertaken the cultivation of this staple
article of food have met with uniform sue
cess, and there is no reason WHY potato
culture cannot he made one of the most
profitable of all ventures by the general
farmer.
GRAPE CULTURE
fhrives III the foothill and snow horticult-
ural belt, and is never attacked by phvlox-
era, the red spider and black scale. The
adaptability Of the soil and climate to the
grape has been repeatedly tested for many
years, and now the business of vine
growing bids fair to become one OF the.
f If not the, principal industry of the county.
Every farm has its vineyard, some of them
being very large, and producing yearly
large quantities of excellent wine. H. L.
Hatch, of Indian Springs, haryests annu-
) ally from eight to ten tons of grapes per
acre and produces first-class article Of
wine. Mildew is the only "pest" which
, the yineyardist has to contend with, and
Light application Of sulphur to the vines is
!, generally sufficient to stop its rayages in an
eiiectual manner
RNsIN ~u.nNG.
For those who object to wine-makine
there arc localities in the foothill belt
which are adapted to the growing and cur
ing Of grapes for raisins, and these raisins
find ready market. As an illustration of
what is being done in this line visit TO
the farm of Niles & Marsh, two miles
above Mooney Flat, viii be worth the at
tention of the traveller who wishes to en-
gage in this business. There are several
large and well stocked nurseries in Nevada
county, the most noted being that Of Felix
Gillet, of Nevada City, and generally
known as Barren Hill nursery, a deserip-
tion Of which will be given in another let
ter. The nursery of J. T. Bogue at Grass
Valley, is also valuable property and is
known as the Ophir Hill Nursery. Alh-
sons orchard is also valuable property.
MINING INDUSTRIES.
| NeNdua county mas Deeni ana sui IS,
famous for its mineral wealth. Countless
beds of auriferous gravel and still larger
number of gold-bearing quartz ledges have
made the name of this county synonym
for all that expresses richness in gold No
where else within the State has there been
found region as abounding in the precious
mineral as Nevada county. From the time
Of the discovery of gold upon the Yuba
river by Jonas Spect, and upon Deer creek
by James W. Marshall, in ls49 till a few
years ago, gold mining was the principal
industry of the county. The primitive
pan was followed by the rocker, the ground
| sluice, the long-tom, the sluice, and at last
| the powerful and obedient monitor came
into use, and the great beds of rich gravel
were torn open and the golden sand rescued
from the Imprisonment of ages to become
the broad. shining coin of the realm, and
bring happiness to many home through
out the world. This change from the pan
to the little giant the long stone or
block-payed sluice and ponderous, compl-
Gated machinery of the present time was
the result of necessity and enterprise.
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